Seal Beach shootings: Victim turns anger into action

Paul Wilson has worked this past year on "Christy's Law," legislation he is proposing that would temporarily restrict gun ownership for people involved in disputed divorces or child custody battles. Earlier this month, he traveled to Washington D.C. with other people who had lost relatives to mass murders. &#8220;It's no longer about party lines and which side of the fence you're on," Wilson said. "Enough is enough. Too many lives have been lost. We're better than this.&#8221;KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Christy's Law

Paul Wilson of Lakewood is working with attorney Michael R. Balmer and the Orange County Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence to introduce new gun legislation that would prohibit the purchase and possession of firearms—and require its surrender—for a couple engaged in a disputed divorce or child custody case. The law would require both parties to fill out a "firearm notification" form. For either one to keep a weapon, both sides would have to agree that possession of a firearm is not an issue. Violation of this law, if adopted, would constitute a misdemeanor and mandatory jail time.

Source: facebook.com/SupportChristysLaw

Paul Wilson traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to lobby for gun control. And even though his late wife, Christy, was among those killed in the Salon Meritage shooting, she went with him.

Literally.

Wilson keeps some of his wife's ashes in two dark green velvet bags. There's the small one. He travels with that one. "That goes everywhere I go," he said. And there's the larger one. That one, he sleeps with every night.

It's been more than a year since the Oct. 12, 2011 shooting at the Seal Beach salon. But Christy's Cadillac Escaladeis still parked in the couple's Lakewood home driveway. Her clothes are still in her closet. Her cellphone has not yet been shut off.

"That was one of Christy's traits. She was always on her cellphone. And the same with her car. She loved her car.

Wilson was about 22 when he spotted Christy. He told his best friend: "I have to meet that girl."

Their first date was to SeaWorld. By the end of the day, Wilson made his intentions clear: "You have to move in with me or we can't date anymore."

She said yes.

"Christy and I, man, we've had some experiences."

They lived in a tiny place by the beach; "thought it was high society." Went to Jamaica for their honeymoon, but she dislocated her hip water skiing and spent the rest of their nuptials in a hospital room. He slept on a cot next to her bed.

In their 26 years together, they traveled a lot. "We were always together," Wilson said. And they raised three children in the same home she grew up in.

"She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend," said Wilson, 48. "Even if I went out to dinner with my friends, she would tag along. It was a joke: 'Jeez, Paul, can't you leave the wife at home.' "

•••

Christy Wilson, 46, was a manicurist at Salon Meritage. Hairstylist Michelle Fournier was one of her best friends. Both women had attended Lakewood High School together and joined the salon when it first opened some 15 years earlier.

On Oct. 12, Christy was scheduled to work later. She went in earlier to have Michelle cut her hair.

Paul Wilson has worked this past year on "Christy's Law," legislation he is proposing that would temporarily restrict gun ownership for people involved in disputed divorces or child custody battles. Earlier this month, he traveled to Washington D.C. with other people who had lost relatives to mass murders. “It's no longer about party lines and which side of the fence you're on," Wilson said. "Enough is enough. Too many lives have been lost. We're better than this.” KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Paul Wilson has been working with a friend on legislation related to gun control after his wife Christy Lynn Wilson was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A photo showing an impromptu candleight vigil out side his home days after the Salon Meritage shooting sits on a table inside Paul Wilson's Lakewood home. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Paul Wilson goes over a wall of crosses that he and his wife Christy Lynn Wilson collected during their 24-year marriage. Christy was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A candle burns 24-hours a day on a counter in Paul Wilson's living room. The flame is in memory of his wife, Christy Lynn Wilson, who was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A note written from Paul Wilson to his wife Christy Lynn Wilson hangs as part of a memorial at his Lakewood home. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
With family photos surrounding him, Paul Wilson reminisces about his wife Christy Lynn Wilson who was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. He's been working with a friend on legislation related to gun control. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Paul Wilson reveals a tattoo he got after Christy Lynn Wilson, his wife of 24-years, was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. Psalms 138:3 reads: In the day that I called, You answered me. You encouraged me with Strength in my soul. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
"You couldn't find one person who had anything bad to say about her," said Paul Wilson as he reminisced about his wife Christy Lynn Wilson who was killed Oct. 12, 2011 at Seal Beach's Salon Meritage. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.